Page 28 of Hot Stuff

Dan

I’d taken Karol hard the night before, and I knew she had been burning both ends of the candle with how late I kept her up during her work week, so I decided to make her breakfast.

I was in the middle of grating some cheddar cheese for omelets when I felt the air change in the kitchen. I didn’t have to look around too long before I spotted her leaning against the wall at the bottom or the stairs. She was wearing my shirt, and I loved the way it engulfed her; the hem hit the bottom of her knees. She was tiny, almost delicate, but I knew that wasn’t true. She was strong and talented. Mine.

“You going to stand there all day, or are you going to come kiss me good morning?” I asked cockily.

She didn’t say a word, but it was her eyes that gave me a hint about what she was thinking. They softened and moved. The moment she was within reach, I wrapped my arms around her and pulled her up against me. Hugging her for a moment, breathing in the scent of her shampoo with every breath I took before I kissed the top of her head and pulled back.

“Good morning,” she whispered, but I didn’t say a word. My body bent so my lips could touch hers, and she didn’t stop me. I loved the taste of her, the way her mouth synced with mine. “It’s not fair how hot you are,” she panted. We both needed a moment to catch our breath. My lips twitched, and I felt my face get hot. Fuck, am I blushing?

My fingers moved under her chin and tipped it upward so I could get a better look at her. She didn’t move away from me. If anything, she melted into me.

“Funny, I was thinking the same about you,” I whispered. My lips touched her temple, and I felt her whole body relax completely.

When I glanced at her, my brows bunched. Her eyes were shut. She had a look on her face I didn’t recognize. One I knew I didn’t want to see again.

“Karol?” I called her name. Her lips pursed, and she shook her head sharply. “What is it? You okay?”

“Nothing. It's nothing,” she said, but we both knew she was lying. I picked her up and settled her onto the kitchen counter, shoving my body between her legs so I could be as close as possible.

“Look at me, kitten.”

“No, I just?—"

“Please,” I gently asked, and she blinked. Her glassy gaze met mine, and my frown deepened. “What’s wrong?”

“I’m going to miss you.”

“No, you’re not.” Her eyes widened, and a brow rose. I could see the attitude mounting, but anything was better than seeing her cry.

“Yes, I will! Dan, I?—"

“I’m not going anywhere.” I had planned on surprising her with breakfast in bed to make sure she ate before I shared my news and ravished her, but as I looked at her, a smile grew on my face.

We made so many plans in life.

Schedules and lists for things to do and stuff to check off that we accomplished, it could be so easy to miss what was happening right in front of you. There was a beauty in letting go and being present. Enjoying the journey.

“You’re… you’re not?” she asked, completely shocked.

“No.” I should have told her all about my plans the moment the idea had struck. What if she didn’t want me to stick around? What if she found my decision creepy?

“What would you think about that?”

“About you staying?”

“Yeah.”

“What about your next step? You said you were trying to figure out?—"

“What if I did?”

“Dan…”

“What if I figured out exactly what I want to do with my life and who I want to spend it with?”

“Dan…” She shook her head, her eyes wide as they searched for answers in mine. “I can’t be the reason you stay.”

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